Volunteering is generally regarded as being “the act of giving up your time to benefit other people” but there is much more to it than that. Volunteering offers you a whole host of opportunities in return for the time you give up:
Meet new people
Increase your skills
Keep yourself busy
Stand out from the crowd
Increase your employability
Increase your confidence
Make new friends
Get a V-Oscar
In addition to the above, the SU gives allows you certain rights as a volunteer:
• To be safe, valued and respected as an individual
• Receive an induction and training relevant to your volunteering
• Be given a clear role description relating to your placement
• Get recognition for your voluntary activities
• Be supported by the V-Team in your voluntary activity
• Not be used in place of staff or exploited in any way
• Have the choice to leave or change project
• Have out of pocket expenses reimbursed (see expenses policy)
• To be insured whilst volunteering
• Not to be excluded on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation & an open access policy will be actively encouraged.
• Your personal details to be treated as strictly confidential in line with relevant data protection legislation
• Be involved in the development of your placement if you wish
• See the benefit to your volunteering
• Be appreciated